Darin Allen Pilgeram, beloved husband, father, brother, son, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2026, at the age of 63, surrounded by his family.
Darin was born on February 9th, 1963, to Allen Carl Pilgeram and Judith Ellen Sammons. Growing up in a proud military family, he lived and traveled across the country, and it shaped the discipline, adventure, and deep sense of service that he carried forward throughout his life.
Several members of his family served in the Armed Forces, including his son Jacob, who currently serves in the United States Air Force, his father Allen, who served in the United States Navy, his brothers Troy and Tory, who served in the United States Air Force, and his sister-in-law Teresa, who served in the United States Air Force.
Athletic, determined, and fiercely competitive, Darin was an All‑American quarterback in high school, setting multiple records—many of which still stand unbroken to this day. His talent on the field earned him a scholarship to San Diego State University, where he continued playing as a quarterback. The discipline, teamwork, and leadership he developed through football shaped him far beyond the game, carrying into every chapter of his life.
Darin had a lifelong love of flying, and after college, he worked at SLC Int’l airport while he worked to earn his private pilot’s license. It was there that he met the love of his life, Karen Michelle Barker. They were married on July 4th, 1993, and shared 36 years of love and partnership. Together, they built a beautiful family and were blessed with three children: Abbey Judith, Rachel Elizabeth, and Jacob Allen.
He loved traveling and sharing new experiences with his wife, Michelle. Whether they were heading out on a planned vacation, navigating life’s challenges together, spending summers surrounded by extended family, or dressing up for a special night out, they approached every moment as a team. No matter the destination or circumstance, being together made every adventure meaningful.
He cherished every moment spent with his family and remained a devoted family man through every season of life. Our family has always been close, and even as his children grew older and began building lives of their own, everyone continued to make family time a priority. Holidays, dinners, weekend visits—those moments mattered to him, and we made sure we always maintained a sense of closeness.
One of the brightest parts of his daily world was his beloved Shih Tzu, Gracie, his registered service animal who went everywhere with him. She was, without question, Daddy’s little girl—loyal, protective, and completely devoted to him. Their bond was unmistakable, and she brought him comfort, joy, and companionship in a way only she could.
Darin proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1985 to 1993, and later in the Utah National Guard from 1995 to 2023, completing an extraordinary 38 years of military service. His Marine Corps MOSs included Tanks (1811) and Infantry (0311). In the Utah National Guard, he served as an Engineer Technician (12T), Interior Electrician (12R), Carpenter Mason (12W), and Construction Engineer Technician (120A). He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW3). His dedication to service, craftsmanship, and leadership left a lasting impact on every unit and every service member he worked alongside.
Darin was a deeply spiritual man, grounded in faith and guided by his identity as a non‑denominational Christian. He loved exploring the bigger questions about life, purpose, and fulfillment, and he often found meaning through long philosophical conversations with the people he cared about.
Metaphysical practices always piqued his interest, and he approached them with curiosity, openness, and a desire to understand the deeper meanings of the world around him. He spent many years studying the teachings of Christ and Spirit, often side‑by‑side with his daughter Abbey—time that was very meaningful to them both.
He loved playing games with his family, adventure and the outdoors, spending countless hours dirt biking and going on rides with Jake, Rachel, and his closest friends. His passion for aviation stayed with him throughout his life—whether flying real aircraft or immersing himself in digital flight simulators, which he approached with the same focus and excitement. He enjoyed using his father’s old flight logs and maps to guide his virtual flights, and after his children moved out, he rebuilt one of the bedrooms into a dedicated flight simulator room, a space he took great pride in.
Darin had a deep thirst for knowledge and self‑growth, and there was almost always an audiobook playing in the background. He loved reading and built an impressive personal library over the years. His interests were wide‑ranging—politics, personal development, spirituality, mathematics, Western cowboy novels, biographies, non-fiction, science fiction, and all kinds of imaginative fiction. If it sparked curiosity or challenged him to think differently, he wanted to learn about it.
Music was woven into Darin’s everyday life. If it wasn’t an audiobook playing in the background, then it was music—sometimes softly, sometimes filling the whole house—and it became a kind of soundtrack to his days. He didn’t just listen to music; he connected with it. It helped him think, unwind, and tap into deeper parts of himself. Whether he was driving, working around the house, or simply sitting in a quiet moment, music grounded him and gave him space to reflect, feel, and reconnect with who he was at his core.
He found joy in martial arts, traveling, hiking, snorkeling, and fishing, and was always happiest when he was outdoors or exploring somewhere new. He also loved staying informed on current political affairs, and he never missed the latest updates on Bigfoot sightings—a topic he followed with equal parts curiosity and humor.
He enjoyed food with such genuine love that there was always a particular order to be made—his meals were never just meals; they were small moments of joy he fully embraced. He loved trying new foods everywhere he traveled, and he approached each dish with the same enthusiasm he brought to the rest of his life.
During his final days in the hospital, that love for good food never faded. One afternoon, a nurse noticed that his family had brought him a bowl of cream of wheat, and the nurse mentioned that the hospital offered the same thing. Darin, with his familiar mix of honesty and humor, simply replied, “Yes, that’s true, but I want it fresh.” It was such a perfect reflection of him—knowing what he liked, savoring the small comforts, and never losing his sense of self, even in the hardest moments.
He also had a deep and unwavering love for coffee. His family made sure he had his lattes exactly the way he liked them, and not, as he would say with a grin, “this shit coffee the hospital offers.” Those small rituals, honored until the very end, brought him comfort and reminded everyone around him of the simple joys he never took for granted.
More than anything, Darin will be remembered for his unwavering ethics and strong moral compass. He made it a point to support every person he met, no matter where they were in their journey. He took the time to truly understand people—their struggles, their hopes, and the weight they carried—and he had a gift for helping them make sense of life’s hardest moments.
He was someone you could always count on. If you needed guidance, a listening ear, or simply someone to sit with you in a difficult moment, Darin showed up without hesitation. He had a remarkable ability to bring clarity to confusion and to soften heavy situations with his steady presence and gentle humor.
Because of this, Darin formed friendships everywhere he went. He was loved, respected, and cherished by all who knew him, and his impact reached far beyond the circles of family and home.
During the last few years of Darin’s life, he bravely battled Multiple Myeloma Cancer, the disease that ultimately took his life. Even as he faced the realities of a terminal diagnosis, he remained steady, positive, and grounded. Surrounded by family and friends who supported him in every way they could, he never complained, never carried a negative spirit, and never let the weight of his illness define his attitude. His strength during this time was a testament to the depth of his character.
Darin valued taking care of his body, and staying active was simply part of who he was. He put great effort into maintaining strength and mobility, and that commitment played a meaningful role in how long he was able to push through his illness. He took great satisfaction in the home gym he created, a space that reflected his discipline and the pride he took in staying capable and resilient.
Even as treatments grew more demanding, he continued moving his body whenever he could—lifting, stretching, or doing whatever his energy allowed. It wasn’t about routine at that point; it was about holding on to the parts of himself that made him feel grounded and alive.
Darin developed this cancer after exposure to a chemical burn pit while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In honoring the sacrifice he made for his country, and the life he gave in service, we ask that all attendees observe the highest level of dress decorum and wear all black for his funeral and services. Please refer to the funeral invitation for further details.
Darin is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Pilgeram; his children, Abbey, Rachel, and Jacob (Beth) Pilgeram; his brothers, Tory Pilgeram and Troy (Teresa) Pilgeram; his mother, Judith Paszek; and his many nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him deeply and were proud to be part of his life.
He is preceded in death by his father, Allen Pilgeram; his brother, Devlin Pilgeram; and his grandparents, William and Lucille Pilgeram, and Tom and Ruth Sammons.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our family and friends for the meaningful roles you have played in Darin’s life. Our family has always been close, and that closeness was strengthened even more by the love, support, and presence so many of you offered—especially throughout his cancer treatments. Your visits, calls, prayers, and steady encouragement carried him, and us, through some of our most difficult days.
We are also profoundly grateful to the University of Utah Huntsman Oncology team for their compassion, expertise, and unwavering care. Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, and every effort to bring him comfort made a difference. Thank you for loving Darin, for supporting him, and for standing beside our family. We will forever hold that gratitude in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in Darin’s honor to organizations that reflect the battles he faced. For those wishing to support disabled veterans, contributions may be directed to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF), an organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans living with physical and invisible disabilities.
Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) Donation Link
For those wishing to support cancer research, donations may be made to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which conducts extensive studies on Multiple Myeloma and other plasma‑cell cancers. Contributions to the NCI help advance research, clinical trials, and treatment breakthroughs that directly support patients and families facing this disease.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Donation Link
Your generosity honors Darin’s life, his service, and the strength with which he faced his illness.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 27th, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S Main St., Spanish Fork, UT 84660. A second viewing will take place on Saturday, March 28th, from 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m., followed by funeral services from 1:00–2:30 p.m at the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 50 W 200 N, Provo, UT 84601.
Immediately following the funeral, at 3:30 p.m., a full Military Honors Ceremony—including Taps and the presentation of the flag—will be held at the Spanish Fork Cemetery.
Please use the link below to RSVP so we can ensure the proper number of chairs are arranged for both the funeral service and the graveside gathering. Your response helps us prepare thoughtfully and make sure there is comfortable seating for everyone who wishes to attend. RSVP HERE, Please
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